Harvester-loader



April 6, 1948. A. R. WURTELE HARVESTER LOADER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25, 1942 INVENTO M F m BY ATTORNEY April 6, 1948 A. R. WURTELE' HARVES'I'ER LOADEH Filed Feb. 25, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR mm m0 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 6, 1948 Application February 25, 1942, Serial No. 432,203

16. Claims. (01. 56-17) This invention relates to apparatus for gather- ,ing growing crops and more particularly to power-driven machinery adapted for both hervesting and loading crops constituted by plants having elongated stalks, such as sugarcane and thelike. l a

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide anovel mechanical harvester-loader by means of which sugar cane and similar crops may be rapidly and economically harvested and loaded for'immediate removal to market in a single operation.

Another object of the' invention is to provide a novel harvester for sugar cane whereby the sugar-bearing portion of the cane plants may be readily and rapidly segregated from the other portion ofthe plants with a minimum of waste. Still another object is to provide mechanical harvesting apparatus :having novel means for conveying stalks whereby the latter are conveyed in a relatively upright position without material longitudinal slippage and without appreciable damage to the stalks.

A further object is to provide,'in a cane harvester, novel means for receiving the'cane stalks of said plants may be quite accurately controlled;

A still further object is to. provide novel harvesting and loading means for sugar cane or the like which may be readily mounted on a standard four-wheel tractor in sucha manner as to be readily removable therefrom to thus render the latter available for other uses.

Another object is to provide a novel cane harvester-loader wherein all of the principal moving parts are-driven by the same power means that propel the harvesterthrough thefield.

An additional object is to provide a cane harvester whichis so constructed that the upper ends ofthe cane plants maybe collected and cut up into ensilage during movement of the harvester through the field.

Another object is to provide novel means whereby waste portions of harvested plants, such as the portions of sugar cane havingia low sugar content, may be employedfon providing atreetion surface-for the wheels of the harvester.

A further object is to provide, in a harvester, novel apparatus for removing the upper portions of the harvested plants. I

Theabove and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed descriptionfwhen the same is read in connection with; the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understoodnhowever, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and areinotintended as a definition 'of the limits jot theinvention, reference for this latterpurpose beinghad "primarily to the appendedclaims.

In the drawings, wherein'like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a topplan View. with parts broken away, of one form of harvester-loader embodying the present invention, some parts being shown diagrammatically in the interest of clarity; l

Fig. 2 is a similar side view of the apparatus of Fig.1; l 1

Fig. 3 is a similarfront-view' ofj'said apparatus with parts removed, especially at the rear, to avoid confusion; s

Fig.' 4 is a detail sectional view of one form of conveyor which may beemployed, the section being taken substantiallyo'n line 4 5 of Figs. 1and5;

Fig. 5 is a detail top view showing a portion of said conveyor; i i i Fig. 6 isadetail plan view, partly'ih'section and with parts broken away, of the novel topping mechanism of the harvester;

Fig. 7 is a rear viewof the apparatus of Fig. 1 with parts constituting the forward portion of the harvester brokenaway or removed;

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view, with parts broken away, showing'an alternateiem'bodiment of the conveyor means; and, s: i

Fig. 9 is-a sectional Viewtakensubstantially on line 9--9of Fig. 8. I y

In the single embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings. by way of example, a

simply constructed,light-weight frame of com-" anismof the apparatus an'd is mountedbn the tractor with sai d 'me chanis'm arranged t-o insure good balance for the erase apparatus with respect to thefsl l porting' wheels of the tractor,

thereby rehderingthe machine readily maneu verable in soft cane fields or the like. All of the moving parts of the harvester-loader combination contemplated by the invention are preferably driven by the tractor engine, which also propels the machine'through the field, thereby insuring proper timing of the power-driven parts with respect to the movement of the harvester and making it unnecessary to provide more than one power source.

The frame structure preferably supports power-driven gathering or pick-up means for erecting those cane stalks which may be growing at an angle to the vertical and for guiding the stalks into engagement with a cutting mechanism which removes the tops or upper end portions of the cane plants, including the upper leaves or bush portion, and such part of the stalks themselves as may have too low a sugar content to warrant processing. As the harvester moves forward, the stalks of one row, which have been wholly or partially stripped of their leaves, either by hand or by mechanical means on the harvester, are gripped by novel conveying means, and at about the same time are severed near the roots by answer driven cutter also supported by he frame structure. 7

The stalks thus stripped, topped and out are ready for processin at the sugar mill and are moved by the conveying means to the rear of the harvester anddeposited in a horizontal position, with the length thereof extending in the direction of movement of the. harvester, on an inclined loading platform carried by the frame structure and, extending upwardly and transversely acrossthe rearofv the tractor. The freshcut stalks are moved along the loading platform by elevator chainsv or belts and dropped over the upper edge of said platform into a cart or other conveyor'for immediate transportation to the sugar mill.-

The removable frame structure mentioned above is secured in the illustrated embodiment on a standard McCormick-Deering Farmall tracto 'l anclcomprises a f ont arch. includin two vertical supp rti gmembers in and I, which are preferably bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to I beams l2" and 13. which are in turn welded or otherwise-suitably secured to the tractor chassis e r e forward end hereof-- sloping upwardly to the left, as viewed from the front of the ac 3. is a cross beam 14 secured, as

by welding, to the upper ends of p sts ill and Rigidl secured to and depending vertically from the overhanging outer end. of beam M are two spaced posts l and Is to form an arch through which the cane stream passes to the conveyor mechanism therefor. Member t5 is braced against latent movement by angle plates l1, It and member I6; is similarly braced b angle plate it and two vertically spaced horizontal beams is and 20 extending between said last-named member and Vertical supporting means I l3.

The rear portion of the harvester frame is supported on the tractor by means of plates 2|, 22, which hav Uashaped slots for receiving the rear axle housing of the tractor, and are bolted to the. rear wheel drive housings 23 and 24', respectively, of. the. tractor. Welded or otherwise suitably secured to these.v plates are. two. rearwardly extending hor zontal beams 25. and 26 which are of chann l 0 ot er su table section. These, beams support a pair of vertical'posts 2'1 and 2,8 and a horizontal cross beam 29;. Said posts have a transverse beam 30 secured to the upper ends hereof. and the latter is connected at its left joining the upper ends of posts l0 and 21, a

rigid bar 35which extends forwardly and downwardly from adjacent the upper end of post 28 to a point adjacent the lower end of depending support l6, and two vertically spaced parallel bars 36 andtl which also extend forwardly and downwardly from post 32 to depending support l5, beam 36 being supplemented by a brace 38 (Figs 2).

Supported by the forward portion of the harvester name at the right side of the tractor, as viewed from the drivers seat S, are means for gathering and erecting the cane plants and guiding the same into a conveyor to be hereinafter described, said; means comprising a pair of endless pick-up or gathering chains 39 and .40. Chain 39 operates in a rearwardl inclined plane on a plurality of sprockets or idler gears 4 which are variously mounted on a. forward extension 42 of rod 31, on a laterally extending bracket 43.. and on the forward end of, bar 36. Said, chain is driven by a sprocket 4.4. on the lower end of a shaft journaled in a. housing 45 which also houses suitable bevel gearing of the character commonly used in rear wheel drives or differentials of automobiles. This gear housing is set at an, an le to the vertical. and is secured by brackets 3, ll tot-he main frame 2). Thegearin in said housing is, drivably connected hy'means of a suitable shaft and gearing to a horizontal rotatable shaft, 48 which extends in the direction of movement of the harvester and is iournaled in. a housin d9, said shaft being drivably connected with the engine of tractor T by means to be hereafter described.

The left-hand gathering or pick-up chainflt is mounted in a manner similar to chain 39, the

forward part thereof being supported by a forwardly extending arm 50 secured to the lower end of post is. Chain 40 is also driven from shaft 48 through suitable bevel gearing in a housing 5|, which is similar to housing 45. Chains 3-9- and M. are provided with laterally extending prongs or lugs 52 for engaging the cane stalks. The adjacent portions of these chains converge to. bring the cane stalks of each row together in a relativel vertical position and to guide the same into the harvester in a satisfactory way.

In addition to. the movable pick-up chains which are driven in unison with the movement of the harvester through the field, stationary pick-up arms may also be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, one such arm or pick-up means is constituted by a rod- 53 that extends forwardly and downwardly from post l5 to join a rod 54 that is secured to the outer end of chain supporting member 42-. Rodsg53, 54 may be suitablycurved in several planes to adapt the same for graduallyliftingthe cane plants to a vertical position as the harvestermoves forward relative thereto. Similar stationary pick-up means may be mounted above chain debut the same are omitted from the drawings to avoid any onfusion- Although mechanical means may be provided on, the harvester for stripping leaves from the plant stalks before and/or after the same are severed from their roots, it has been found to be practical to strip the main or lower. portion of; the stalks ofitheir leaves in advanceuof the harvester by manual means. This may be readily and satisfactorily accomplished bythe use of a .tool having a plurality. of parallel prongs on along handle, such as a pitchfork.

As the harvester moves forwardand plants are lifted to a relatively vertical position, if they are not growingin such position, the upper or bush portions thereof are guided to the iorwardedge of a ,novelly constructed and mounted cutting means whereby the upper leaves and a suitable portion of the stalk are cut away. Said cutting means, in the form shown, comprises a vertically adjustable, substantially horizontal, circular cutter 55, which preferably has a sharpened, sawtoothed periphery; If desired, the cutting teeth 55' may be separately formed and welded to disc 55.; The cutter is supported by a vertically disposed rotatable shaft 56, which is splined or keyed for rotation with and axial movement relative to a sleeve that is rotatably mounted in the forward part of housing is, said sleeve being drivably connected in any suitable manner, such as by bevel gearing, to horizontal shaft 48. For vertically adjusting cutter 55, a cable may be connected to the upper end of shaft 56 in any'suitable manner to permit relative rotation, passed over a sheave or roller 58 secured to the upper endof a boom 59, and thence connected to a, rotatable drum Gd operable by the tractor operator. Boom 59 may be braced bya guy rod 6 I.

The cutter 55 is preferably steadled'an-d guided in its vertical movement by a triangular-shaped bracket 62 having a hearing or bushing 63 which surrounds shaft 55 a short distance above the cutter. Bracket 62 is rigidly secured to a pair of spaced, parallel guide rods 54 and 65 that slide vertically in spaced bushings 56 and 5l,respectively, which are stationarily mounted on posts I5 and, IE. Bushing 63 is accordingly adapted to move up and down with the cutter and thus provide rigid, lateral support therefor. If desired, rods 64, 55 may be stationarily mounted, in which event bracket 62 would have sliding engagement with said rods. i

For the purpose of further insuring proper topping of the cane plants, a pair of diverging gathering arms 68, are mounted for vertical movement with cutter 55, such as by bein welded to and braced with respect to rods .66 and 65. These arms direct the upper portions of the plants into contact with the central, forward edge of the cut ter to render the latter most effective.

In order to prevent the severed leaves-from wrappingthemselves around shaft 56, a drum 65 is mounted thereon for rotation therewith. The periphery of said drum is preferably channelshaped in section and a deflector arm H3 extends into the channel from rod 65 to direct the severed parts of the cane plants onto a shield or chute ll whereby said parts arepreferably directed into a trough '52 in which an endless belt conveyor '13 operates. Said trough and conveyor constitute part of a hammer-mill or silage chopper, which is diagrammatically illustrated at M. This hammer-mill or chopper may be of any suitable known design orconstruction and may be supportedin any suitable manner on the chassis of tractor T and the framework of the harvester. If desired, for example, chopperl l may be mounted on the forward left-hand corner of the tractor with trough 12 extending across the front of thetractor to a point beneath chute H V i d The leaves and tops from thewcane plants are carried; into the chopper by conveyor 1,3fand; the

chopped silage or, feed is blownout through conduit it into a container or bin 16 (Fig. 1) mounted on the leftside of the .tractor just ahead of the rear wheel. The bin may be. emptied eitherby dumping or unloading Whenever the same is filled or after each row of. cane is harvested. The silage thus obtained constitutes valuable feed forcattle andsirnilar animals. The removal of the portion .of the cane-plants; from the field also avoids the necessity for burning todestroy the winterhome, so to speak, of the cane-borers which normally live during the winter months in. the chopped-01f upper ends of the cane stalksQyIf: desired, of course, the severed, upper ends of the stalk may be directed into a container andremoved from the field without being chopped. It might also be desirable, particularly when it is muddy, to direct the cut portions of the plants into the path of the tractor wheels to provide 'a traction surface therefore Thesilage chopper and the parts associated therewith are removed from the harvester in Fig. 3to avoid unnecessary confusionin the drawing,

The stripped plants arenext; guided into a novel. conveyor mechanism. which, is adapted to grip each stalk intermediate itsends, preferablyat substantially the same instant or shortly before the stalk is engaged :01 cut by a rotating cutter ll. As shown, the conveying means comprises an elongated channel beam 18 suitably mounted on .the frame structure and extending rearwardly, upwardly and preferably inwardly toward the tractor: from the arch I t, 55, 6. Channel E3 is preferably supported by means of brackets frombearn 35 and a rearward extension is thereof. stationarily mountedin and projecting from channel '58 are resilient means which are ShOWIIfIa S being constituted byahollow resilient strip'iil) of rubberor the like. The outer face of stripzliimay be plane or curvedbut the same preferably has two or more longitudinally extending corrugationslFig. 4) .to facilitate gripping of thecaneistalks; Cooperat ing with resilient strip M .is an endless power driven chain .Bi, or the like, said. chain being mounted on idler, sprockets 82, 83, 8d and and is driven by a sprocket 86, which is in turn drivably connected to the tractor engine through. a universal joint. al and suitable bevel gearing disposed in a housing as. That portion of the cone veyor chain-between sprockets 8d and 851 may extend forward sufficiently far to take the place of pick-up chained, if desired, and that portionbetween sprockets 82 and 85 parallels resilient strip at and is suiiicientlyclose to the latter to grip cane stalks therebetween. Chain 8| preferably has laterally extending prongs orj lugs 85! (Figs. l and 5) which extendbetween successive cane stalks and preferably overlap strip at for assisting in the movementof the stalks along said strip by the chain.

Novelmeans arealso provided for obviating any undue. sagging, climbing, or lateral bulging of the conveyor chain relative to strip 8i! which might result in downward slippage of the stalks.

Forreasons which will appearLmore fully hereafter, it is important toprevent any material longitudinal'slippage of the stalks in the conveyor 80,18], In :the formzshown said means includes a plurality of. spaced rollerseii mounted ona rigid members! that istin turn -supported by the harvester framensEach cream rollers has a channel-shaped periphery, the upper and loWer pand toppedstalks. of the cane flanges of which extend above and belowa portion or the conveyor chain 81 to prevent sagging or climbin thereof. The rollers are also positimed to. obviate any undue bulging of the conveyor chain away from strip at when cane is being conveyed. If desired. rollers 88 may be replaced by a channel beam or the like so Dositio'ned that the active portion of chain '81 will run in the trough thereof.

As pointed out above, each stall: is out near the ground at approximately the same time that it enters and is gripped by conveyor so, 81. The cutting means for this purpose is constituted by the vertically adjustable rotating disc cutter l! which preferably has a saw-toothed periphery. This cutter may be tilted slightly from the hori zontal and is driven through suitable bevel gears located in a housing 92. said gearing being operatively connected with the tractor engine in a manner to be hereafter described. Housing 92 is fixedly suspended from the harvester frame by means, such as "struts 93 (Fig. 2) at a point beside the tractor and just ahead of therear wheels thereof. Shaft 94, on which cutter I! is mounted, may be keyed or splined to the gearing in housing 92 for rotation therewith but is adapted to slide vertically to thereby ermit vertical adjustment of the cutter. Said shaft and cutter are supported by a chain or cable 95 in such a manner that the shaft may rotate relative to the chain, the latter being attached at its upper end to a cross bar 96 on the piston rod of a hydraulic jack '91 whereby the cutter is held against downward movement. Cutter ll is free to move up wardly at all times against the yicldabie force of a spring- 98 (Fig, 3) which is normally under tension and is interposed between cross bar 86 and a stationary part of the harvester. This spring accordingly serves to yieldably hold cutter H in a desired position and yet permits free upward movement thereof in case it strikes an obstacle along the ground.

In order to guide the lower ends of the cane stalks around gear housing 82, a guide rail 59 is secured to the latter. 'Thi-s rail is preferably curved and projects forwardly and inwardly toward the tractor from the outside edge of said housing. A guide rail I00, IIII (shown only in Fig. 2) may also be provided for the purpose of protecting personnel from the rotating cutter ll.

The stalks, after being severed by bottom outtelll, are carried rearwardly and upwardly in a relatively upright position by the conveying means 80, 8| to a novel loo'dtmg table or platform I02. As the stalks approach the forward edge of the platform, the lower ends thereof strike and drag against transverse beam 29 or :a suitable guide or shield which may be provided, while the upper ends of the stalks are carried out to the end of the conveyor which is supported above a central portion or platform 10! by arm 13 and a rearward extension 103 of beam 35. when the stalks are released by conveyor 80, BI, the same fall in a horizontal position with the lengths thereof extending generally the of movement of the harvester, i. c... they one dropped laterally across the width of table Hi2.

Said table or platform is made as wide as -necessary--usually about eight reet aiid inclined toward the left across the rear of the harvester, as viewed from behind It. The lower and of the platform is supported by a horizontal structure m which is made up of two parallel channel bars and a connecting plate (see 7 $916. beam structure is secured one and to cross beam" 29 and is supported by a tie rod interposed between the outer end thereoi and the outer end of extension 19. Further support for the platform is afforded by a beam extending rearwardly from post 21 and by braces I06, I01 (Fig. 7) and I08 (Fig. 2). If desired, a shield I09 may be provided near the lower end of platform I02 against which the stalks "may fall when released by the conveyor. The shield assists in lining the stalks up across the platform and prevents the same from sliding oif the bottom of the platform until they are picked up by the conveyor chains or belts to be next described;

Means are provided for moving the cane stalks up the inclined surface of loading table I02 and releasing the same to fall in a cart or suitable vehicle moving along the side of the harvester. In the illustrated embodiment, three endless link belts llfl constitute the means for elevating the stalks and moving the same across the rear of the harvester, said belts having spaced prongs or lugs ill (Figs. 3 and 7) for engaging the stalks, corresponding lugs on the severalbelts being in alignment across the platform for simultaneously engaging the same stalk. Chains III) are driven by sprockets on a cross shaft H2 and are supported at the top of the loading table by idler sprockets H3 mounted in suitable brackets H4. Suitable means comprising pivoted arms I15, H6 (Fig. 7) adjustab-ly coupled together may be employed for adjusting the tension of the elevator conveying chains H0.

As the stalks reach the upper end of the load ing table, they are straightened, if they happen to be traveling in a diagonal position, by an arouate hood H1 supported by brackets I I8 at the end of said platform. When the stalks reach the end of table I02, the same are released to fall on a chute H9 (Fig. '7) which assists in directing the stalks into a cart (not shown). If desired, means may be provided on opposite sides of loading tahie l02an-d at one side of the harvester as at 2) 011 which men may stand for the purpose of taking care of any irregularities in the conveying of the cane by the conveying mech- .anisms.

All of the moving parts of the harvesting-loading mechanism are preferably driven from the engine of tractor T. For this purpose, the drive shaft of the tractor is extended rearwardly at HI (Fig. 1.) and supported in a, bearing IZZ suspended from beam 29 (Fig. 7). This shaft extension is provided with several sprockets, one of which is connected by .a chain 123 to-a sprocket on a fore and aft shaft I24 supportedin bearings at 125 (Fig. '7) and I25 (Fig.3). From shaft I24, chain drives I21, I28 and 129 are taken, respectively, to horizontal shaft 48, a horizontal shaft extending into gear housing 92 of the bottom cutter l1 and the main shaft of hammermill or chopper 14. Another sprocket on shaft 21 is connected by a chain [30 to the powertransmitting means 88 through which power is transmitted to sprocket 86 for driving conveyor chain 8|. A third sprocket on shaft I2I is connected by a chain I31 with a stub shaft I32 that is in turn drlvably connected with shaft I04 through a suitable reversing gear mechanism shown diagrammatically at 133 and a chain 134.

A modified form of stalk conveyor. is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the same differing from conveyor 80, BI only in that the stationary strip 81 is replaced by a movable endless member I80 made of rubber or other-suitable 'yie'ldable material which wlll frictionally engage the cane stalks. In the form showmmember' I40 is tubular and runs in a pair of grooved wheels l li and MZ which are supported on suitable brackets from beams 35, It. The portion of member it which runs adjacent to chain 8i is further supportedby a plurality of grQOVed rollers M3 mounted for rotation about vertical ins secured to a beam I44 that is, in turn, supported by bracketsextending from members 36 and it. If desired, rollers I43 and wheels Ml, I42 maybe mounted on roller or ball hearings to permit very free movement of endless member Mil. Itmay also be desirable to extend a shaft M5 upwardly from wheel M! and drivingly connect the same to the tractor engine, such as through shafts tit and I24.

There is thus provided a novel harvester-loader for sugar cane or like crops whereby the same may be rapidly and economically harvested and simultaneously loaded in a vehicle for immediate delivery. to the sugarmill or other destination. Said harvester embodies novel means for topping the plants to insure a desired percentage of sucrose in the marketable stalk and for chopping and preserving the tops for feed. A novel combination of conveying and elevating means are also provided whereby the harvested stalks are neatly loaded in a vehicle as fast as the same are cut and without appreciable damage to the stalks. The apparatus provided is also so constructedas to be readily and safely maneuverable in soft,- plowed fields. Additionally, the entire mechanism is operated by one source of power, i. e., a tractor on which the harvester-loaded parts are wholly and. removably supported.-

Although only a single embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the same isnot limited thereto. Various changes, particularly in the design and arrangement of parts illustrated, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference is had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is: i

1; A harvester for cane plants or the like having means for propelling the same through a field. power driven cutting means mounted on the forward part of the harvester for cutting the tops off said plants while the latter are standing in the field, said cutting means comprising a discoutter rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, and means for adjusting the vertical position of said cutter above the ground independently of the remainder of the harvester.

2. In a harvester for cane plants or the like, power means for propelling the harvester through a field, cutting means including a disc-like cutter mounted on the harvester for topping said plants while the latter are standing in the field, driving means interposed between said power means and said cutter whereby the latter is rotatably driven, and means for vertically adjusting said cutter relative to said driving means.

3. In a harvester for cane plants or the like, power means for propelling the harvester through a field, and means drivahly connected to said power means for topping said plants while the latter are standing in the field, said cutting means comprising a rotatable cutting member having a relatively vertical axis of rotation and being adjustable along said axis.

'said plants adjacent the upper ends of the main body of the stalks, a chopper for cutting up said tops, means for transferring said tops from said cutting means to said chopper, a container mounted on said harvester, and means for transferring the output of said chopper to said container. I v 1 5. In a harvester for sugar cane, power means for propelling the harvester through a field,- cutting means drivably connected to said power means for cutting the upper portions off the cane plants adjacent the upper ends of the main body of the stalks, means drivably connected to said power means for converting said severed upper portions into silage, and means for directing and conveying said upper portions from said cutting means to saidconv'erting means. 1

6; In apparatus for harvesting cane plants or the likehaving a frame and power means, the combination of rotatable cuttingmeans having a shaft mounted on said frame for topping said plants, means mounted onsaid frame for rotatably driving said shaft while permitting axial movement thereof, at least two parallel rod-like members mounted for vertical movement on said frame, a bearing'for said shaft adjacent said cutting means, means for rigidly mounting said bearing on said rods, and common means for simultaneously moving said cutter, bearing, rods and shaft axially of the latter as a unit. Q

"7. In a harvestenfor cane plants or the like, power means, rotatable cutting means mounted on the harvester and driven by said power means for cutting the tops off said plants, and means for directing the disposition of the severed upper ends of said plantsincluding'annular channel-shaped means immediatelyabove said cutting means and rotatabletherewith;

8(In a harvester for plants having stalks, means for gripping said stalks intermediatethe ends thereof and conveying the same in a relatively upright. position comprising elongated yieldable means stationarily mounted on said harvester, endless movable means having prongs adapted to straddle said yieldable means, and means for causing movement of said endless movable means longitudinally of and parallel to said yieldable means, and means for guiding said endless movable means to limit the lateral movement thereof relative to said yieldable means.

9. In a harvester for plants having stalks, such as sugar cane plants, means for gripping said stalks intermediate the ends thereof and conveying the same in a relatively upright position comprising elongated yieldable means stationarily mounted on the harvester, an endless chain having a portion thereof adjacent said yieldable 4. In a harvester for plants having stalks, such means and movable longitudinally thereof, and means for limiting the movement of said chain away from said yieldable means whereby'stalks gripped between said chain and said yieldable means are firmly held against slippage in the longitudinal direction of the stalks.

10. In a harvester for plants having stalks, means for conveying said stalks comprising elongated yieldable means stationarily mounted on the harvester, endless movable means adapted to engage the stalks intermediate the ends thereof and move the same along said yieldable means, and means including a plurality of spaced rollers for guiding said endless movable means in its movement along said yieldable means.

11. In a harvester for plants having stalks, such as sugar cane, means for conveying said stalks comprising elongated yieldable means stationarily mounted on the harvester for engagin one sideof each stalk, and endless movable means for engaging the opposite side of said stalk to hold the latter in gripping engagement with said yieldable means whereby said stalk issupported, said yieldable means having at least one longitudinally extending groove in the stalk engaging surface thereof.

12. In a harvester for plants having stalks, such as sugar cane, means for conveying said stalks comprising an endless longitudinall movable strip of yieldable material, such as rubber, for engaging one side of each stalk, an endless movable chain -for engaging the opposite side of each stalk, whereby each stalk is yieldably gripped between said strip and chain and thereby supported, and power means for driving said chain.

13. In a harvester for plants having stalks, such 7 as sugar cane, meansfor conveying said stalks comprising an endless longitudinally movable strip of yieldable material, such as rubber, for engaging one side of each stalk, an endless movable chain for engaging the opposite side of each stalk, whereby each stalk is yieldably gripped between said strip and chain and thereby supported, and a common source of power operatively connected to said strip and chain for driving the same in unison.

14. In a harvester having means for propelling the same through a field, means for cutting the stalks of plants, and means for conveying said stalks to the rear of the harvester, the combination of a loading table extending upwardly and transversely across the rear of the harvester for receiving said stalks from said conveying means, a plurality of endless conveyor belts for moving said stalks transversely of the harvester to the upper edge of said table, and means operatively connecting said conveyor belts with said propelling means.

'15. In a harvester forplants having stalks, such as sugar cane, power means. means for simultaneously elevating and conveying said stalks transversely across the rear of the harvester in a horizontal position extending lengthwise in the direction of movement of the harvester, means operatively connecting said elevating and con- 12 veying means to said power means, and means drivably connected with said power means for delivering said stalks to said elevating and conveying' means in said position.

16. In apparatus for harvesting plants having stalks, said apparatus'including means for cutting said stalks, the combination of an inclined loading table, movable means associated with said table for moving said stalks to the upper edge of the latter in a horizontal position extending lengthwise in the direction of movement of the apparatus, means mounted on the upper end of said table for directing said stalks into a vehicle when said stalks are released by said movable means, and means for delivering said stalks to said table in said position.

ALLAN R. WURTELE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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